One-way ticket to exhilaration

THE “expressive, creative instigator” Glenda Jones went all out in her eagerly anticipated dance production, Diary of a Dancer.

It is unimaginable that this exuberant woman will ever pass up the opportunity to go all out. Ample evidence of this can be seen in her must-see show on 16 December at CTICC, where the performers will use their finely tuned skills to ignite the stage with African jazz, hip hop, contemporary, cabaret, kwaito, salsa, krumping, ballet funk, freestyle and original dance concepts.
The third Afrika Ablaze production of the year is also the most personal for Jones, since she based it on her own life, and on how dance transformed her.

“Through dancing you ignite your creativity,” she says.
“It is the most physical and most personal of all the arts. Soon there is no separation between the mind, body and soul.”
Jones teaches mostly disadvantaged children to overcome stigma, prejudice and labels and to find themselves through the natural rhythm that engulfs everyone.
Afrika Ablaze is, however, open to anyone.

She also lectures a first-year sport science group at the University of the Western Cape, where she “teaches rugby players to dance.”
In short, she helps people rid themselves of the perception that they can’t dance.
“I get into their heads and open up their minds and souls,” she says.
“People tend to rob themselves of a very creative life. Anyone can benefit from dancing!”

Diary of a Dancer is a story that will resonate with all audiences. It delves into the heart and mind of a young boy who, because of his circumstances, goes underground to bury his dreams until he can no longer live with the lie.
“We usually have one major performance a year, but due to the enormous growth and demand, we will have three this year,” says Jones.

The protagonist of the show (portrayed by Jesrael Jacobs) grew up in a harsh environment and found his salvation in dance. An eventful foray into the world makes him think twice about what is really important in life. Jones has collected nuggets of wisdom in her ongoing adventure. “What makes a dancer brilliant? Is it the sacrifices a person makes? Is it their sweat, strife, pain or hard work? Are there short cuts?”

She lets the questions sink in before she answers: “Dancing is hard work! And only fear separates the great from the average dancers. The fear of not being good enough. The fear of failure.”
Jacobs, whom Jones describes as having been blessed with the gift of “dancing on water,” plays a character that grows up in abject poverty, but then discovers the meaning of his life when he finds two ballet shoes in a garbage bin.

“In a moment he makes the connection and becomes overwhelmed! That’s where he would like to be,” she says.
Swan Lake will be playing in the background and in that moment the character “feels and tastes the music.”
His friends torment the character because of his dream, which hurls him into his darkest moment.

Diary of a Dancer promises to top any of her previous work and she is confident that her cast of 60 exceptionally talented dancers are once again ready to wow Cape Town with their exuberance, versatility, passion and skill.
Bookings or enquiries on 078 478 9847 or 082 669 1670.

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